Chorley

Car Hire

Chorley is a quintessential northern English market town, full of history and a rich heritage while also providing access to nearby serene countryside for those that have arranged car hire. Ideally, Chorley can be used as a quiet retreat for those that wish to get a true feel for life in small-town northern England. However, Chorley’s great location also makes it easy to explore metropolitan havens such as Manchester and Leeds.

Who to Book With There are presently four companies in Chorley offering vehicle rentals to tourists. National and Van Hire Chorley are both conveniently located on Leigh Row, while Euro-Drive and MLC Travel can be found on Achkrust Road and Montcliffe Road, respectively. With the locally-run companies, it is usually only possible to make reservations by telephone or in-person. Bigger organisations such as National allow online bookings, however, which result in big savings.

Best Time to go The northwest is famous for its heavy rainfall or drizzle than is apparent for the majority of the year, although lessened slightly during the summer months. Even during this period, car rental and hotel rooms should still be available in abundance, but book ahead to be sure.

Need to Know Essentials The following documents need to be provided when collecting a rental vehicle:

- A British driving license - A photo ID other than the driving license - The valid credit card used for making the reservation - Confirmation of reservation

Driving Traffic is never usually a problem in Chorley, perhaps due to the small size of the destination. While there are some council-owned parking spaces dotted around the town, it is also possible to leave vehicles on the premises of supermarkets, pubs, restaurants and shopping precincts, either free of charge or for a small fee. The town is well-linked to others in the area, as well as to the likes of Manchester.

Transport

Chorley and its surrounding areas, such as the rural villages that neighbour it, are best navigated by the use of a self-drive vehicle. Those that choose not to arrange their own transport really only have buses and taxis to get them around.

Trains While trains aren't available or required to get around town, Chorley has its own rail station with direct links to other important destinations in the north. This means that Manchester, Preston and Blackpool can all be reached easily from Chorley, while Glasgow and Edinburgh are two other options north of the border in Scotland. Services to these destinations are mainly supplied by First TransPennine Express.

Taxis There are two main taxi companies currently operating in Chorley, namely, Coopers Taxis and Yellow Cabs (North West) Limited. These vehicles have meters but may require fares to be agreed upon before travelling to Manchester and other cities farther afield. The local council also supplies metered vehicles for travel around town.

Buses Chorley's bus station, which received a £3 million revamp recently, is mainly served by Stagecoach and Arriva, which transport residents and visitors around the town and to other destinations in the northwest, such as Manchester, Preston and Wigan.

Exploring

One of the main attractions in Chorley is the Lever Park, which was handed to residents by Lord Leverhulme. Undoubtedly, this is where the best views of the area can be enjoyed. In the centre is Astley Hall, which is noted for possessing a pair of boots that belonged to the revolutionary Oliver Cromwell. Shoppers won't fail to find bargains or unique items at the Flat Iron markets, but plenty of other great shopping and sightseeing trips can also be enjoyed outside of town.

Recommended Drives

Manchester - Reached by driving south along the M61 from Chorley, is well worth the journey for those with car rental. The north's biggest city is famed for its football teams, its role in the Industrial Revolution and being the birthplace of famous artists such as LS Lowry and musicians including The Stone Roses and The Smiths. The shopping and nightlife are also second-to-none.

The Moors and the West Pennines - These provide some of the best views of the northwest and are among the most favoured locations for outdoor activities. Just as popular are the small villages that surround the hills or are situated between them, with local pubs often serving outstanding traditional English fare.

Blackpool - This was once the top seaside destination in the whole of the UK and where many comedy legends, including Morecambe and Wise, first got their big breaks. This gritty but fun town is till as popular as ever with domestic holidaymakers who flock to the destination for its iconic tower and seafront.